CETEARYL ALCOHOL

Synonyms: Cetearyl alcohol; 67762-27-0; UNII-2DMT128M1S; Cetyl/stearyl alcohol; 2DMT128M1S; 8005-44-5; Cetostearyl alcohol [NF]; Lanette O; EINECS 267-008-6; Ceto/Stearyl Alcohol; EC 267-008-6; hexadecan-1-ol;octadecan-1-ol; SCHEMBL1091511; Cetyl-Stearyl Alcohol (50/50); Cetyl Alcohol: Stearyl Alcohol: Cetearyl Alcohol; Cetostearyl alcohol, Cetylstearyl alcohol, Cetyl/stearyl alcohol; Cetylstearyl alcohol; Cetostearyl alcohol(C16-C18) ALKYL ALCOHOL; (C16-C18)-ALKYL ALCOHOL, 1-OCTADECANOL, MIXT. WITH 1-HEXADECANOL, ALCOHOLS, C16-18, ALCOHOLS, C1618, C16-18 ALCOHOLS, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETOSTEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL/STEARYL ALCOHOL, MIXT. WITH 1-HEXADECANOL 1-OCTADECANOL, and UNIOX A ;C16-18;DEHYQUARTD;LANETTE AOK;CETEARYL ALCOHOL;CETOSTEARYL ALCOHOL;CETYLSTEARYL ALCOHOL;CETOSTEARYLALCOHOL,NF;CETEARYL ALCOHOL fandachem;hexadecan-1-ol,octadecan-1-ol;CETYL ALCOHOL - STEARYL ALCOHOL; 54-85-9 [RN];  1-Hexadecanol - 1-octadecanol (1:1) [ACD/IUPAC Name];1-Hexadécanol - 1-octadécanol (1:1) [French] [ACD/IUPAC Name]; 1-Hexadecanol --1-octadecanol (1:1) [German] [ACD/IUPAC Name]; 1-Hexadecanol, compd. with 1-octadecanol (1:1) [ACD/Index Name]; 67762-27-0 [RN]; 8005-44-5 [RN]; Cetearyl alcohol; 12705-32-7 [RN]; 1336-34-1 [RN]; 199745-51-2 [RN]; 1-Octadecanol, mixed with 1-hexadecanol;39315-71-4 [RN]; 52003-59-5 [RN]; 58392-01-1 [RN]; 58392-68-0 [RN]; 63393-84-0 [RN]; 67762-43-0 [RN]; 78565-03-4 [RN]; 8032-20-0 [RN]; 8032-22-2 [RN]; 8032-92-6 [RN]; 8033-00-9 [RN]; 8034-88-6 [RN]; 8038-54-8 [RN]; Ceto/Stearyl Alcohol; Cetostearyl alcohol; CETYL ALCOHOL; STEARYL ALCOHOL; Cetyl/stearyl alcohol; cetyl-stearyl alcohol; Cetyl-Stearyl Alcohol (50/50); HEXADECAN-1-OL; OCTADECAN-1-OL; hexadecan-1-ol;octadecan-1-ol; Lanette O

Cetostearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol or cetylstearyl alcohol[1] is a mixture of fatty alcohols, consisting predominantly of cetyl (16 C) and stearyl alcohols (18 C) and is classified as a fatty alcohol. It is used as an emulsion stabilizer, opacifying agent, and foam boosting surfactant, as well as an aqueous and nonaqueous viscosity-increasing agent. It imparts an emollient feel to the skin and can be used in water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-water emulsions, and anhydrous formulations. It is commonly used in hair conditioners and other hair products.[2]
Cetearyl Alcohol: What You Need to Know About This Common Ingredient
Overview
Uses
Safety
Bottom line
If you’ve ever used lotions, shampoos, or conditioners, you may have noticed they include a chemical called cetearyl alcohol. The good news is that cetearyl alcohol isn’t “bad” for you, your skin, or your hair. Most importantly, cetearyl alcohol is very different from “regular” alcohols, like ethanol.
As a health-conscious consumer, you’re likely always on the lookout for skin and haircare products that don’t contain harmful ingredients. Fortunately, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires manufacturers to list ingredients on a product’s label so that you can make an informed decision about what products you choose to put in or on your body.
What is cetearyl alcohol?
Cetearyl alcohol is a chemical found in cosmetic products. It’s a white, waxy substance made from cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, both fatty alcohols. They’re found in animals and plants, like coconut and palm oil. They can also be made in a laboratory.
They are used in personal care products, mainly skin lotions, hair products, and creams. They help create smoother creams, thicker lotions, and more stable foam products.

Fatty alcohols are sometimes called long-chain alcohols because of their chemical formula. They usually have an even number of carbon atoms, with a single alcohol group (–OH) attached to the last carbon.
Cetyl alcohol has 16 carbon atoms. Stearyl alcohol has 18. Cetearyl alcohol is a combination of the two, so it has 34 carbon atoms. Its molecular formula is C34H72O2.
What is it used for?
Cetyl alcohol helps prevent creams from separating into oil and liquid. A chemical that helps to keep liquid and oil together is known as an emulsifier. It may also make a product thicker or increase the product’s ability to foam.
Products with cetearyl alcohol
skin lotions
moisturizers
skin creams
sunscreen
shampoo
conditioners
hair removal creams
hair mousse
anti-frizz hair cream
hair dye
mascara
It most often appears on the ingredient list as cetearyl alcohol, but may have many other names.
Other names
(C16-C18) alkyl alcohol
alcohols, C1618
C16-18 alcohols
cetostearyl alcohol
cetyl/stearyl alcohol
1-octadecanol, mixed with 1-hexadecanol
Cetearyl alcohol isn’t the only fatty alcohol used in cosmetic products. Other examples include cetyl alcohol, lanolin, oleyl alcohol, and stearyl alcohol.

Is it safe?
You may have heard that you should avoid hair and skin products that contain alcohol. This is because many alcohols, like ethanol or rubbing alcohol, can be very drying. Using alcohol on your skin and hair could lead to itchiness, flaking, and skin peeling.
In fact, alcohols are commonly found in products like astringents, hand sanitizers, and aftershave due to their fast-drying and skin-tightening abilities.
However, fatty alcohols, like cetearyl alcohol, don’t have the same effect on the skin as other alcohols due to their chemical structure.
The chemical makeup of cetearyl alcohol is different from more commonly known alcohols. In cetearyl alcohol, the alcohol group (-OH) is attached to a very long chain of hydrocarbons (fats). This feature allows fatty alcohols to trap water and provides a soothing feel to the skin.
Chemicals that make the skin feel smooth are referred to as emollients. They work by forming an oily layer on the top of the skin to keep the moisture inside.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has concluded that fatty alcohols, including cetearyl alcohol, are safe for use in cosmetic products. In clinical studies, cetearyl alcohol was found to have no significant toxicity and was non-mutagenic. A mutagen is a chemical agent that changes your DNA. DNA changes can cause certain diseases, such as cancer.
It was also found not to irritate the skin. According to the FDATrusted Source, even cosmetic products labeled “alcohol free” are allowed to contain cetearyl alcohol and other fatty alcohols. Cetearyl alcohol is also included on the FDA list of safe and permitted food additives.
As with many skin care products, there’s a small risk of allergic reaction to cetearyl alcohol. A 2007 study confirmed five cases of allergy to cetearyl alcohol, but reactions to other chemical allergens also occurred in all of these cases.
A 1996 study of 140 people with suspected cosmetic contact dermatitis found that another commonly used fatty alcohol, oleyl alcohol, caused contact dermatitis in roughly 23 percent of those studied.
If you have sensitive skin or other allergies, it may be a good idea to perform a patch test with any product containing this ingredient. Tell your doctor if you experience burning, blistering, swelling, stinging, redness, or irritation that persists or gets worse.
The bottom line
Cetearyl alcohol is used to help soften the skin and hair and to thicken and stabilize cosmetic products, such as lotions and hair products. As an emollient, cetearyl alcohol is considered an effective ingredient for soothing and healing dry skin.
Unless you have very sensitive skin, you probably don’t need to avoid products containing cetearyl alcohol. Not only is it considered safe and nontoxic for use on the skin and hair, but it’s also not drying or irritating like other types of alcohol. Due to its chemical structure, cetearyl alcohol is even permitted by the FDA as an ingredient in products labeled “alcohol-free.”

Cetearyl Alcohol
Vegetable-derived fatty alcohol is used to thicken and stabilize formulations. It also gives the skin an emollient feeling.
Inci name: Cetearyl alcohol
Other names: Cetylstearyl alcohol; Cetostearyl alcohol
Appearance: shaped like white scales or beads
Cosmetic applications: cream, lotion, ointment, shampoo, conditioner, balm, makeup products..
Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol
Cetostearyl alcohol (CH3 (CH2) nOH) is a mixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohols from vegetable or synthetic sources. It is classified as a fatty alcohol. Cetostearyl alcohol is a white, waxy, solid substance in the form of scales. It is fat-soluble, but not water-soluble. In the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, cetostearyl alcohol acts as an emulsion stabilizer; matting agent; surfactant - foam booster; and viscosity enhancing agent. It is often used in creams and lotions. Melting point 122 ° F (50 ° C) and boiling point: 480.2 ° F( 249 ° C)
Cetostearyl Alcohol NF
Chemical Description
Cetostearyl Alcohol
Product Description
Emulsion stabiliser, co-emulsifier and viscosity increasing agent that provides an emollient skin feel. Recommended topical usage levels of 2-30%.
Pharmacopoeia Compliance
FDA-IID Listed
PhEur USP/NF
Cetearyl Alcohol consists predominantly of cetyl and stearyl alcohols and is classified as a fatty alcohol.
It is used as an emulsion stabiliser, opacifying agent, and foam boosting surfactant, as well as an aqueous and nonaqueous viscosity-increasing agent. It imparts an emollient feel to the skin and can be used in water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-water emulsions, and anhydrous formulations.
It is commonly used in hair conditioners and other cosmetic products for it's emollient properties. Use from 1% to 25% inclusion by weight.
This product is not an emulsifier itself, but needs to be combined with Emulsifying Wax (i.e. steareth-21). Appearance can be either a pastel or flake.
This product is NOT derived from any animal fats or oils. It is coconut/palm-oil derived.
What Is Cetearyl alcohol?
Cetearyl alcohol is a flaky, waxy, white solid that is a combination of cetyl and stearyl alcohols, which occur naturally in plants and animals.[1,2] Cetyl and stearyl alcohols are often derived from coconut, palm, corn, or soy vegetable oil, typically from coconut palm trees, palm trees, corn plants, or soy plants.[3] Cetearyl alcohol is used in hundreds of personal care, cosmetic, and household products, such as makeup, bath soap, detergents, shaving cream, moisturizer, shampoo, and other products.[4]

What Does Cetearyl alcohol Do in Our products?
Cetearyl alcohol acts as a moisturizer in our products by helping bind moisture to the skin. It is a fatty alcohol and can also act as an emulsifier, giving proper texture to our products. In addition, it can be an emollient, keep things from separating, control how thick or runny a product is, act as a coupling agent, and even stabilize foams.[5,6,7,8]

Why Puracy Uses Cetearyl alcohol
We use cetearyl alcohol in our products as a moisturizer. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has deemed cetearyl alcohol safe in cosmetic ingredients.[12] Whole Foods has deemed the ingredient acceptable in its body care quality standards.[13] At least one study also shows cetearyl alcohol does not irritate eyes or sensitize human skin.[14]

How Cetearyl alcohol Is Made
Cetearyl alcohol is a combination of cetyl and stearyl alcohols. Stearyl alcohol is manufactured by transesterification and distillation of coconut or palm kernel oil using a methanol and a zinc catalyst, followed by hydrogenating the resulting methyl esters using a copper catalyst. The catalysts are removed during the fractional distillation phases, so there are little or no metals in the final product.[9] Cetyl alcohol is manufactured by reducing ethyl palmitate (the waxy ester of palmitic acid) with metallic sodium and alcohol or under acidic conditions with lithium aluminum hydride as a catalyst.[10] The final product melts at a temperature higher than that of the human body, which makes it useful for makeup and other things that are warmed by the skin.[11]
Properties and uses: it is an organic compound derived from saturated fatty alcohols of coconut. Because it is lighter than cetyl alcohol, it can be used in baby care and sensitive skin products. Comedogenic score and irritation score are low. It is used as emulsion stabilizer, opacizing agent, foam strengthening surfactant, viscosity enhancing agent.

Physical Structure: Solid

CAS no: 67762-27-0 / 8005-44-5

Recommended pH range: -

Solubility: Oil

Function: Emulsion stabilizer, opacizing agent, foam strengthening surfactant, viscosity enhancing agent

Recommended utilization rate: 0.5-10 %specifications and uses: it is an organic compound derived from saturated fatty alcohols of coconut. Because it is lighter than cetyl alcohol, it can be used in baby care and sensitive skin products. Comedogenic score and irritation score are low. It is used as emulsion stabilizer, opacizing agent, foam strengthening surfactant, viscosity enhancing agent.

Physical Structure: Solid

CAS no: 67762-27-0 / 8005-44-5

Recommended pH range: -

Solubility: Oil

Function: Emulsion stabilizer, opacizing agent, foam strengthening surfactant, viscosity enhancing agent

Recommended utilization rate: 0.5-10 %
CETEARYL ALCOHOL
Cetearyl Alcohol is a mixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohols that can be derived naturally or synthetically. It is a white, waxy solid. It acts as an emollient, texture enhancer, foam stabilizer. It is widely used in cosmetics, especially in skin lotions and creams.
CETEARYL ALCOHOL is classified as :
•    Emollient
•    Emulsifying
•    Emulsion stabilising
•    Foam boosting
•    Opacifying
•    Surfactant
•    Viscosity controlling
CAS Number    67762-27-0 / 8005-44-5
EINECS/ELINCS No:    267-008-6 / -
COSING REF No:    75132
PHARMACEUTICAL EUROPEAN NAME:    alcohol cetylicus et stearylicus
Chem/IUPAC Name:    Alcohols, C16-18

What Is Cetearyl Alcohol?
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy substance that's derived naturally from plants, like palm oil or coconut oil, but can also be synthesized in a lab. Fusco says theoretically, it could be used in any product that you apply to your skin or hair and is commonly found in creams, lotions, moisturizers, and shampoos. When used in cosmetic products, cetearyl alcohol acts as an emulsifier and stabilizer and prevents products from separating. According to Shah, cetearyl alcohol can also appear on a label under a few different names, for example, C16-18 alcohol or cetostearyl alcohol.

Benefits of Cetearyl Alcohol for Skin?
Cetearyl alcohol is not an ingredient that’s used for its actual effects on the skin but more so for the composition and function of the product as a whole, according to Shah.

Prevents separation of products: Fusco says as an emulsifier, cetearyl alcohol is predominantly used in products to stabilize them so that when you apply the formulas to your skin or hair, they don't separate and they apply cosmetically well. 
Encourages even application: By keeping the product from separating, it may help with the application of a product and as a result, the overall effectiveness of it. Fusco uses the example of sunscreen to further explain this point. "Let’s say the zinc oxide in a sunscreen separates from whatever the inactive ingredient is," she says. "You might not get the sunscreen protection you hoped you’d get because the product didn’t mix evenly and can’t spread evenly."

Thickens formulas: Shah says it's used as a thickening agent in products to enhance the texture and feel.
Softens the skin: Though this is not the primary reason for including cetearyl alcohol in a product, Shah says because it has a fatty component to it and is derived from oils, it does have an emollient property and may soften and smooth the skin. 

Cetearyl Alcohol vs. Sensitizing Alcohols
Although an alcohol by definition, cetearyl alcohol is not the same as the traditional alcohols known for drying and sensitizing the skin.

"In chemistry, things are named by their chemical structure and the elements that make them up," Shah explains. "And automatically, when you have an oxygen and a hydrogen attached together, that makes anything an alcohol. But it’s the other components of it that determine how it’s going to really function." She goes on to explain that in cetearyl alcohol, the alcohol group is attached to a long chain of fats, and that long chain of fats balances it out, makes it less harsh on your skin, and allows it to be more of an emollient.

"Alcohol simply refers to a chemical that has an -OH group on it," Fusco adds. "It doesn’t mean that every alcohol is going to irritate you or strip your skin or be bad for you." In other words, you can finally take a deep breath knowing that you don't have to toss out every product that contains cetearyl alcohol.
Side Effects of Cetearyl Alcohol
Although there have been a limited number of people with allergic contact dermatitis,1 the risk for an allergic reaction is small, and both dermatologists say cetearyl alcohol is safe to use in cosmetic products and is overall considered a non-irritating ingredient. "Shampoos, conditioners, face cleansers—you're going to rinse them off, so there's not a whole lot of contact time between these products," Fusco says. "And I haven’t come across anything that indicates that if there’s a significant absorption, that there would be a problem." If you are generally sensitive or prone to skin allergies, Shah recommends using caution, as with any other ingredient.

How to Use It
Because the ingredient is present in so many different types of products, there's no set guideline for its use. And according to both dermatologists, cetearyl alcohol is not an ingredient with a limitation on it in terms of how often it can be used.

cetearyl alcohol
Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Fatty alcohol that is a mixture of gentle cetyl and stearyl alcohols. It’s used as an emollient, texture enhancer, foam stabilizer, and carrying agent for other ingredients. Can be derived naturally, as in coconut fatty alcohol, or made synthetically. It is almost always combined with similar-feeling ingredients to create a product’s texture and influence its slip when applied to skin.

Cosmetic products labeled "alcohol free" are allowed to contain cetearyl alcohol, whose effects are quite different from skin-aggravating forms of alcohol. We repeat: fatty alcohols like cetearyl alcohol do not pose a risk of sensitizing skin.
INCI name: Cetearyl Alcohol. Fatty Alcohol commonly used in all cosmetics creations like skin, body or hair care products.
Can increase moisturization properties of your products; makes your homemade cremes, lotions, hair masks and other DIY beauty products thicker and richer looking.
Plant derived cosmetic ingredient & suitable for natural and green formulations (DIY cosmetics recipes).
Oil phase thickener, solidifier/opacifier and emulsion helper (increases strength of your emulsifiers that keep oil and water together).
Product comes in a convenient resealable stand up pouch with zip lock that is easy to store and easy to use.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emulsifier that thickens cosmetics products and makes them stable by holding water and oil together. It can also be used as a surfactant which foams and washes the hair and skin, and is known for its emollient properties.

Description
Most often, cosmetics products need to be extremely stable to have a long shelf life in order to be stored, handled, shipped etc. This is why emulsifiers, stabilisers and preservatives are often added in large quantities, which tends to create thick creams loaded with synthetic ingredients. At Lush, we like them to glide on seamlessly and feel lightweight on the skin. This makes the stability more fragile which is why they are best used as fresh as possible; but in exchange, the product can be filled with fresh flowers, fruits and other beneficial plants. 

Cetearyl alcohol is a solid, waxy material derived from the fats of vegetable oils. It is a common emulsifier used in a vast array of cosmetics. Cosmetic creams and lotions are often composed of water and oil based ingredients, which are held together by substances called emulsifiers. Without emulsifiers, the formula would separate, causing oil droplets to float on top of the water.

Although it is called ‘alcohol’, it is not a fermented mixture and has nothing to do with ethanol; it is very gentle on the skin and does not dry it out. It is an emollient that makes the skin and hair smooth and supple.
Cetearyl Alcohol Technical grade Cetearyl Alcohol contains approximately 65% to 80% stearyl and 20% to 35% cetyl alcohols. (la) Though Cetearyl Alcohol consists mostly of cetyl and stearyl alcohols, small quantities of alcohols with longer and shorter chain lengths are usually present in this mixture.(g) Additionally, the following impurities have been reported for Cetearyl Alcohol mixtures.“6’
 Hydrocarbons (consisting principally of n-hexadecane and n-octadecane) 0.1-l .4% 
Odd-numbered straight-chain alcohols l-3.5%
 Branched-chain primary alcohols 0.2-2% 
Even-numbered straight-chain alcohols (C,-C,,) comprise 90% to 95% of this mixture.(16)
Cetearyl Alcohol Cetearyl Alcohol (CAS No. 8005-44-s) is a white, waxy solid, usually in flake form.“) It is a mixture of mostly cetyl (hexadecanol) and stearyl (octodecanol) alcohols.““) Cetearyl Alcohol is also known as cetostearyl alcohol and cetyl/ stearyl alcohol. (lo) It is insoluble in water and soluble in alcohol and oils.
What is Cetearyl Alcohol?
Alcohol is often used as a generic term, but not all alcohols are created equally.

Alcohol can fall into two categories:
1) high molecular alcohols
2) low molecular alcohols.

Low molecular alcohols are also known as drying alcohols.

High molecular alcohols are also called fatty alcohols.

Cetearyl Alcohol falls into this last category. It is an ingredient that is derived naturally from plants like palm oil or coconut oil.

Cetearyl Alcohol acts as an emulsifier and stabilizer. This means that is it used for blending together ingredients that do not normally mix (such as water and oil). It can also be used to thicken up the consistency of a product. In clinical studies, Cetearyl Alcohol was found to have NO toxicity and was NON-mutagenic. Non-mutagenic means that it is a chemical agent that does NOT change your DNA. DNA changes are what can cause certain deceases, such as cancer.
Drying alcohols, as the name suggests, can be drying to the hair and scalp, and should be avoided as much as possible. But because this type of alcohol evaporates quickly, and helps a product to dry faster, it is simply not possible to make products such as hairspray without this ingredient.

You wouldn’t want to spend time on a nice blowout and styling to have your hairspray leave your clients’ hair all wet after, would you?

But according to science, fatty alcohols, such as Cetearyl Alcohol, actually has properties that are very beneficial to hair and scalp!

Cetearyl Alcohol is hydrating, moisturizing and smoothening. It helps to soften the hair and provide slip to help detangle hair better! This is why you will find this nice, hydrating fatty alcohol in our conditioners and hair care products.

Cetearyl Alcohol is a vegetable sourced fatty alcohol derived from sustainable palm and coconut oil fatty alcohols (cetyl and stearyl alcohol) used to thicken and stabilize formulations. Cetearyl Alcohol imparts an emollient feel to the skin. It can be used in water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-water emulsions, and anhydrous formulations--cream, lotion, ointment, body butter, salt scrubs.

Our manufacturer is a full-fledged member of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and they are in the process of obtaining Mass Balance Certification on this product.

Compositional Breakdown:

30% Cetyl Alcohol

70% Stearyl Alcohol

INCI: Cetearyl Alcohol
Cetearyl Alcohol
What: Cetearyl Alcohol is a mixture of fatty alcohols consisting predominantly of cetyl and stearyl alcohols found in plants, like Coconut and Palm oils (Wiki).

Cetearyl Alcohol is used in cosmetics as a stabilizer to thicken an emulsion and keep it from separating, and as a foaming agent. Cetearyl Alcohol also contains emollient properties which leave skin soft and smooth.

Origin: Cetearyl Alcohol is made by combining fatty alcohols from such vegetable sources as coconut fatty alcohol.

Products Found In: facial creams and lotions, body creams and lotions, hair conditioners, ointments, body butters, salt scrubs.

Alternate Names: Cetostearyl alcohol, cetylstearyl alcohol.

Toxicity: Cetearyl Alcohol is generally classified as being of no to low hazard or toxicity (EWG).
CETEARYL ALCOHOL Properties
solubility Soluble in ethanol (95%), ether, and oil; practically insoluble in water.
CAS DataBase Reference8005-44-5(CAS DataBase Reference)
CETEARYL ALCOHOL Chemical Properties,Uses,Production
Chemical Properties
Cetostearyl alcohol occurs as white or cream-colored unctuous masses, flakes, pellets or granules. It has a faint, characteristic sweet odor. On heating, cetostearyl alcohol melts to a clear, colorless or pale yellow-colored liquid free of suspended matter.
Production Methods
Cetostearyl alcohol is prepared by the reduction of the appropriate fatty acids from vegetable and animal sources. Cetostearyl alcohol can also be prepared directly from hydrocarbon sources.
Pharmaceutical Applications
Cetostearyl alcohol is used in cosmetics and topical pharmaceutical preparations. In topical pharmaceutical formulations, cetostearyl alcohol will increase the viscosity and act as an emulsifier in both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions. Cetostearyl alcohol will stablize an emulsion and also act as a co-emulsifier, thus decreasing the total amount of surfactant required to form a stable emulsion. Cetostearyl alcohol is also used in the preparation of nonaqueous creams and sticks, and in nonlathering shaving creams. Research articles have been published in which cetostearyl alcohol has been used to control or slow the dissolution rate of tablets or microspheres containing water-soluble drugs, or poorly watersoluble drugs, as well as to stabilize amorphous systems. In combination with other surfactants, cetostearyl alcohol forms emulsions with very complex microstructures. These microstructures can include liquid crystals, lamellar structures, and gel phases.
Safety
Cetostearyl alcohol is mainly used in topical pharmaceutical formulations and topical cosmetic formulations.
Cetostearyl alcohol is generally regarded as a nontoxic material. Although it is essentially nonirritating, sensitization reactions to cetostearyl, cetyl, and stearyl alcohols have been reported.
Gamma radiation has been shown to be feasible for sterilization of petrolatum containing cetostearyl alcohol resulting in low levels of radiolysis products, which are of low toxicity.
storage
Cetostearyl alcohol is stable under normal storage conditions. Cetostearyl alcohol should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place.
Incompatibilities
Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and metal salts.
Regulatory Status
Accepted as an indirect food additive and as an adhesive and a component of packaging coatings in the USA. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (oral tablets; topical emulsions, lotions, ointments; vaginal suppositories). Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.
CETEARYL ALCOHOL Preparation Products And Raw materials
Raw materials
Preparation Products
EXOalc 1618 is a non-ionic surfactant (INCI name: Cetearyl alcohol), which is a mixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohol. The commercial product is a white, waxy solid in the form of pastilles. The product is a derivative based on renewable plant raw materials and is mainly used in cosmetic applications.

Product advantages:

 effective emollient and conditioner for washing and care cosmetics for skin and hair,
 provides smoothness of skin and hair,
 restores hair elasticity and softness,
 rheology modifier (improves the consistency of preparations),
 foam stabilizer,
 stabilizes emulsions such as oil in water (O/W), water in oil (W/O) and anhydrous preparations,
 does not cause allergic reactions,
 based on renewable plant raw materials.
Applications:

 shampoos, conditioners, serums, hair masks,
 preparations for hair colouring,
 hair gels,
 hand, foot and body creams
 eye creams,
 anti-wrinkle creams,
 sunscreens,
 after-shave creams,
 self-tanners,
 lotions, moisturisers (including for children),
 preparations for washing face and body,
 peeling scrubs,
 anti-acne preparations,
 make-up bases, foundations,
 mascara, eyeliners,
 lipsticks, lip balms,
 make-up removers,
 depilation preparations,
 lubricants, metalworking fluids.
About this substance
Helpful information
Cetearyl Alcohol is registered under the REACH Regulation and is manufactured in and / or imported to the European Economic Area, at ≥ 100 to < 1 000 tonnes per annum.

Cetearyl Alcohol is used by consumers, in articles, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing.

Consumer Uses
Cetearyl Alcohol is used in the following products: pH regulators and water treatment products, coating products, metal surface treatment products, laboratory chemicals, polymers and washing & cleaning products.
This substance has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Other release to the environment of this substance is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use.
Article service life
Release to the environment of this substance can occur from industrial use: industrial abrasion processing with low release rate (e.g. cutting of textile, cutting, machining or grinding of metal). Other release to the environment of this substance is likely to occur from: outdoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. metal, wooden and plastic construction and building materials). This substance can be found in products with material based on: fabrics, textiles and apparel (e.g. clothing, mattress, curtains or carpets, textile toys) and leather (e.g. gloves, shoes, purses, furniture).

Widespread uses by professional workers
Cetearyl Alcohol is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products and cosmetics and personal care products.
Cetearyl Alcohol has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Cetearyl Alcohol is used in the following areas: formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging.
Cetearyl Alcohol is used for the manufacture of: chemicals.
Other release to the environment of this substance is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and indoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. cooling liquids in refrigerators, oil-based electric heaters).
Formulation or re-packing
Cetearyl Alcohol is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products, cosmetics and personal care products, coating products, fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay, polishes and waxes and polymers.
Cetearyl Alcohol has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Release to the environment of this substance can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures and formulation in materials.
Uses at industrial sites
Cetearyl Alcohol is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products and cosmetics and personal care products.
This substance has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Cetearyl Alcohol is used in the following areas: formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging.
Cetearyl Alcohol is used for the manufacture of: chemicals.
Release to the environment of this substance can occur from industrial use: as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates) and as processing aid.
Manufacture
Release to the environment of this substance can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance.